Lay leaves school board race

A second candidate has dropped out of the race for a seat on the Washington County Board of Education.

Elizabeth Lay, executive director of the Washington County Arts Council, said Monday she is dropping out because of work and family commitments.

Her announcement reduced the field of candidates campaigning for four open seats on the School Board to 14. Another candidate, Connie Jantz of Knoxville, dropped out shortly after the filing deadline.

Lay, 46, of Clear Spring said her decision not to seek election came after the Arts Council board asked her not to resign.

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Before filing for the School Board race, Lay had given the Arts Council board notice that she planned to retire effective in April, Lay said.

She planned to retire after one year in the position because it was requiring her to work too many hours. The job was keeping her from spending enough time with her children, who are ages 8, 9 and 10, she said.

Last Monday, the Arts Council board asked Lay to cancel her resignation plans and stay on as the group's executive director, working fewer hours, she said.

Lay said she can't work at the Arts Council, be a good mother and be an effective School Board member.

Jantz's and Lay's names will be on the ballot along with those of the 14 other candidates still running for the seats.

A primary election will be held March 2, and eight candidates will advance to the general election to be held Nov. 2.

Lay said she may seek public office in the future.

Lay has said she filed to run in this election because she was concerned that only three candidates ran for three open School Board seats in the last race.

Other candidates had the same concern, and the field grew to 16 before dropping to 14.